A successful start for new zero-emission technology with the MF Hydra

This was stated by Ingrid Dahl Hovland, Director of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA), during the baptism of MF Hydra in Hjelmeland today. MF Hydra is the world's first ferry running solely on liquid hydrogen.

 An advancement of global importance

Liquid hydrogen might play a central role in the green shift within the maritime sector. The pilot project at Hjelmeland may therefore prove to be of major importance to the future development of global maritime transport. On March 31st, the MF Hydra was put into operation.

– Public procurement is becoming a central mean of action in the development and implementation of new innovative technology. At the NPRA, we are proud of our ongoing contribution to this cause, and throght that contribute to a betterment of services for road users. Our recent experiences with MF Hydra, shows that this is indeed possible, director Hovland adds.

Directing purchasing power towards the green shift

– Historically, we have a longstanding tradition of utilizing our role, as a purchaser in the billion range, to accelerate the development of transport sector, and the achievement of our collective goals. We view the direction of our purchasing power toward the green transition to be essential. Our investment in zero-emission vessels is an important part of these efforts, Hovland emphasized.

– The introduction of MF Hydra has been a great success. It runs very well, and we are convinced that liquid hydrogen is a great logistical solution, that can be effectively implemented across Norway – as well as internationally, said Heidi Wolden, Administrative Director at Nordled.

Over twenty years of green ferry innovation

While Norway persists as a leading global actor concerning the green shift within maritime transport - the NPRA leads the nautical way towards a greener future – with our combined efforts in technological advancement and green policy development once more.

20 years of green ferry innovation predates the NPRA's current efforts. In the year 2000, the MF Glutra became the first car ferry to run off off liquified natural gas (LNG). The use of LNG leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, as compared to traditional diesel operation. Eleven years ago, we issued a tender which resulted in the MF Ampere, the world's first electrical ferry with propeller drive.

Therefore, by putting the world's first hydrogen ferry into operation, we now take yet another substantial leap toward meeting the goal of zero emissions - regarding ferries as well as the general maritime industry – both in Norway and internationally.

Launching the world's first hydrogen ferry is a good example of how public facilitation and industry innovation may be synergized.

– The NPRA has had good experiences with challenging the industry to come up with their own solutions to issues of importance. Achieving the green shift within the maritime industry is a combined effort between policy makers and industry actors – where we strategically target our purchasing power, and shipping companies accepts the challenges we put forth, director Ingrid Dahl Hovland concludes.

Director General of Shipping and Navigation: «Important for Norway as a nation»

Director General of Shipping and Navigation, Knut Arild Hareide, says that it is very important for Norway as a maritime nation that we have companies who are investing in new green technology, the way Norled is doing with this hydrogen project.

– We know that there may be challenges when it comes to putting new technology to use, and it is also good that the Norwegian Maritime Authority has been closely involved in the project from an early stage, like we were when the first battery-operated car ferry was to be put into operation. This is of course a very important project for Norled, but also for Norway as a nation. The fact that we work together, businesses and authorities, to facilitate new technology development will give Norway a competitive advantage and may provide the basis for new jobs, while also making it even more exciting to work in the maritime industry», Hareide says.